Goodbye to Old Haunts - Hello to New

So far our 2014 trip has been like so many previous, seeing familiar ground (except for Big Bend NP) and familiar places. But now we head for uncharted territory - well, actually, it's pretty well charted - up the middle of the USA, ultimately to the Northwoods, to meet up with friends, old and new.

We did overnights in Guthrie, OK and Lyndon Station, KS (see the storm shelter we would have had to use here,) with heavy rains and severe weather ahead and behind, before spending a few days in the middle of it in the Kansas City, MO area, specifically in the city of Independence.


Many, many churches in Independence, the most spectacular of which is the temple of the Community of Christ, a movement originally part of the LDS church, which also has multiple temples in the city. There are also plenty of Catholic and Protestant denominations represented.

Independence was also one of the Truman's summer White Houses (the other being in Key West.) After leaving the Presidency, he and Bess spent the rest of their days here as well.

After one more stop in the middle of what was once a few hundred-acre corn field in Amana Colonies, Iowa (and another storm-filled night,) we arrived in Belvidere, IL for a week - our intention, to visit our daughter, Shannon's, future mother-in-law and sister-in-law in the suburb of Roselle and also to spend a couple of days in the city of Chicago (45 miles away.) But with no mass transit routes into the city from the Rockford/Belvidere area - shoulda checked that out beforehand - we postponed the Chicago touring for another trip to the area.

But we had a great visit with Jean (Mom) and Shere (Sis). We had met Shere a few Christmases ago at Shannon and Bill's in Oxnard/Channel Islands, but we were new to Jean. Both are super people, so easy to be with and relaxing to visit.


Went out to eat together and spent the whole afternoon, but wish it had been longer. We can't wait till the next time. Who knows...there might even be a wedding involved.